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No Longer a Sparring Partner, Superstar Jose Luis Castillo
WED October 12, JERRY CASAREZ, Ringside - Where were you this past Saturday night? That is the question that should be asked to anyone who claims to be a boxing fan. I was one of the fortunate ones who was lucky enough to witness what should go down as our very own Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns. The city, Las Vegas, the venue, The Thomas & Mack Center, the fight - Diego "Chico" Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo II.
If they're first fight was considered one of the greatest fights ever well than you knew the second would not disappoint.
The feeling in the arena was that of pure energy as the crowd waited in anticipation of what was to come. First to enter the ring was Castillo, 53-7-1, to an acapella version of 'Mexico Lindo'. Next was the WBO/WBC lightweight champion Corrales, 40-3, who entered to the sounds of Westside Connection's "The Gangster, The Killa and The Dope Dealer".
Corrales was greeted by a mixture boos and cheers, but that would halt as soon as these two started round one.
Much was made of the issues that had occurred in the previous days weigh in. Castillo weighed in 138 1/2 lbs for what was to be a 135lbs championship fight and as a result of his failure to make weight, there would be no titles on the line. However, there was something even more important at stake...Pride.
The first round started even faster than usual with both men loading up on their punches. Chico's hand seemed to be the faster, however Castillo's subtle movements seemed to be the difference. Castillo who is not known for his boxing ability, seemed to have taken his game to another level by improving his defense with movements in range to where he could best avoid Corrales heavy hands.
Another improvement was his ability to smoother Chico's punches and take away the necessary range needed for Corrales to effectively throw his punches.
At the same time Castillo made good of his range by punishing his opponent to the body with short hooks and the use of a sneaky, but effective jab which he used as a range finder and also a tool for his defense. By the end of round one you could see that both men had thrown plenty of leather which included a solid uppercut by Chico, but one man was more effective and that was Castillo.
Corrales started the second round confident and was moving forward, but Castillo was still more effective and precise with his punches. Corrales was throwing his punches wide and although they may have looked good to the crowd that had began to cheer his name, it would still be Castillo that would work his left hook to the body a left hook at the end of the round made Corrales take a step back and caused damage to his right eye.
Castillo was confident at the start of round three. It seemed that he was on a high, realizing he had broken Chico's guard, coming forward with the use of his jab and his use of what little space he was provided. Castillo landed a hook which sent his Corrales backwards to the ropes. Chico would dig deep and tried firing his shots in retaliation, but his punches would prove too wide and would provide Castillo with a chance to punch the body inside and finish the round strong.
Corrales still looking as if he had lost a step from the previous round started the fourth with his hands wide and decided he was going to stay in the pocket and go out swinging. As he tried to start an exchange of hooks it was clear that his swollen right eye was becoming a factor. It would prove to be true as he was caught and dropped with a single left hook that went off like a shotgun blast in the Thomas & Mack Arena. At :47 seconds of round four, Corrales would be counted out by referee Joe Cortez as he staggered to his feet at the count of ten.
Castillo would begin celebration as he realized that his rival would not be getting up this time. Many fans were in disbelief of what they were witnessing while others would cheer for their hero had won.
Moments after the fight Castillo would look to Gary Shaw and ask for his $100,000 that he had won from a bet he had made stating that he would knockout the promoter's star Corrales.
At the time of the stoppage, all three judges had Castillo ahead 30-27 on their scorecards. With there series now tied at one a piece you can bet that Team Corrales wants a rubber match. When asked if a rematch clause would be enforced Gary Shaw's response was, "we will be invoking it."
After the fight during the presser some words were exchanged by both camps but the fighters themselves remained respectful towards each other.
"I'm very disappointed, I made a silly mistake," Corrales said. "I dropped my right hand. I apologize to my fans and my wife."
When asked if the weight in issues played a factor he had this to say, "I'm not going to entertain the idea that I lost because of his weight." Corrales continued, "I'm not going to destroy his win. He had a good fight".
Castillo also spoke saying, "I am happy but sad also. Happy I won, but sad I couldn't make weight. I let people down yesterday. I'm going to keep working and hopefully soon I can fight for a title."
On the undercard
Jorge Arce would make it a look easy in his rematch with Hussein Hussein. Unlike their first meeting in March, Arce would need just two rounds to score a TKO and retain his interim WBC flyweight title.
Arce, 41-3-1, scored knockdowns in both rounds one & two, the second of which caused Hussein's corner to throw in the towel.
Hussein, 28-3, was able to get to his feet right away after the knockdowns, but Arce was the effective aggressor from the beginning. Arce's right hand floored Hussein in the first and it was a left hook that scored the decisive blow in the second.
"It was a tremendous night for Mexicans," said Arce, a native of Los Mochis, Mexico. "I am ready for anyone, I don't care who. Just show me the money."
In a 10-round super featherweight bout, Bobby Pacquiao, 26-11-3, of the Philippines, notched a split decision over former champion Carlos Hernandez , 41-6-1, who was not pleased with the ruling.
Pacquiao won two cards by scores of 95-94 and 95-93 but was trailing on a third, 97-92.
"I think I was robbed, plain and simple," Hernandez said. "I think the people know who won and I think that was me."
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